WC 2019: Akhtar feels India committed blunder by demoting Dhoni in batting order

Akhtar said that the major burden of India's exit in the semifinals shall fall on the shoulders of coach Ravi Shastri.

After India's shattering loss to New Zealand in the first semifinals of the ICC World Cup, cricket fans, critics and the entire fraternity have expressed their disappointment over Kohli and Co's surprising exit from the marquee tournament. Former Pakistani pace ace Shoiab Akhtar also expressed his anguish over 'Men in Blue' exiting the tournament. Speaking exclusively to ABP News on India's dismal performance against the Kiwis in the semis, Akhtar brought forth some major points which he felt were instrumental in changing the course of the match in favour of the Kiwis. Responding on a couple of questions on India's loss, former Pakistani pacer Shoiab Akhtar said it was a tactical blunder to demote the experienced MS Dhoni late in the batting order at Number 7 against New Zealand. The speedster raised questions on why Rishabh Pant and Hardik Pandya were promoted up the batting order in a crucial knockout encouter at the World Cup. Shoiab felt if Dhoni came into bat the number 4 or 5, he could have set up the game for the power hitters to finish. He dint hold back in saying that with age the reflexes of Dhoni have slowed down and hence he needed time to settle down. Akhtar said that the major burden of India's exit in the semifinals shall fall on the shoulders of coach Ravi Shastri. He said that question will be asked and there could also be a possibility of a complete revamp in the India's coaching staff. Akhtar was supportive of Kohli's captaincy and said that the BCCI should work in tandem with the Indian skipper to assess what went wrong and how to prepare better for future tournaments. Shoiab pointed out that the Indian team needs to have a couple of world class batsman of the caliber of Virat Kohli to peform at the big stage. He was that Kohli cannot every time take the Indian time across the finishing line. Speaking on Rishabh Pant's dismissal, Akhtar said he is pretty young at the international stage and will mature with time. Kohli needs to invest time and groom him.